Name of business: Grandma’s Treasures

Type of business: Home decor and gift shop

Location: 4616 Main St., Denair

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Contact information: 209-656-8778

Specialty: Upcycled furniture

History of business:

Since acquiring the quaint downtown business from his sister just over two years ago, James Shehan and his partner Junniver Shehan have transformed Grandma’s Treasures in Denair from a small consignment shop into a home decor destination. 

James’ sister Sherrie Van Galen and his niece Melissa Cherry first opened Grandma’s Treasures in 2011, operating the thrift-centered operation out of a 500-square foot store. When James and Junniver took over the store in 2018, they expanded and moved into the former meat market down the street — a space that was 1,000 square feet larger. Now, the store has a boutique feel featuring new, on-trend home decor, gifts and antique furniture they’ve upcycled with a few coats of paint and a little TLC.

“We wanted to give Denair a little bit more options because there aren’t a lot of places to shop downtown, so everyone goes to Turlock for everything,” James said. “We’re just a spot for gifts, home decor and furniture, but it’s more than we had.”

The store has seen a boost in sales since The Coffee House opened up inside, with coffee lovers stopping by to grab coffee then staying to shop. Shopaholics often lend business to the coffee shop as well, James said, making it a win-win for both businesses involved.

“People come in for coffee and shop, and people come in to shop and then get coffee. It works really well,” he said.

Social media has helped the business as well, James added. Grandma’s Treasures’ marketing is done almost completely online, with the owners posting on Facebook and Instagram multiple times per week. This not only helps them sell items, but attracts customers from as far as Sacramento and the Bay Area. 

Currently, Grandma’s Treasures is featuring “Everything Christmas” and recently hosted their Christmas Open House to show off all of the holiday decor. And while the store’s items may be popular, the best thing about manning the shop has been the relationships the Shehans have made, James said

“We make a lot of new friends and meet a lot of new people having the store,” James said. “It’s great. People come in and we make them feel at home.”